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Glucocorticoid Feedback Mechanism

Meaning

The Glucocorticoid Feedback Mechanism is the critical homeostatic process by which circulating levels of cortisol, the primary human glucocorticoid, regulate its own secretion through inhibitory signaling within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This finely tuned negative feedback loop ensures that cortisol levels do not become excessively high or remain elevated unnecessarily after a stressor has passed. Proper functioning of this mechanism is essential for maintaining physiological resilience and preventing endocrine pathology.